Essay name: Sankalpa Suryodaya of Venkatanatha (Critical Study)
Author:
R. Laxmi
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
This is an English study of the Sankalpa Suryodaya鈥攁n allegorical Sanskrit drama by Venkatanatha, a distinguished philosopher-poet and dramatist of the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta tradition. This work of Venkata-natha (or, Vedanta Deshika). stands out for integrating allegory to convey moral and philosophical truths. The thesis examines its place in Sanskrit literature.
Chapter 3 - Significance
26 (of 85)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Sumati strikes a note of appreciation at Viveka's efforts to take men on the
right path; if he does not succeed, all his efforts will be in vain. However, she is
confident of Viveka's success in his efforts. Viveka lends courage to Sumati and
points out that according to the Upanisads, Puru峁 is aware of the means for Mukti
along with their respective accessories. He will advance towards Mok峁 by cool
path of Arcis free from the thick mire of mental confusion mingled with sharp thorns
of K膩ma and Krodha.
At this juncture, a voice of proclamation by two heralds behind the curtain is
heard, hailing Viveka as a Victor. Addressing Sumati, Viveka says that the
proclamation of the heralds has to be regarded as the beginning of a new
phenomena, i.e. the end of darkness and the beginning of sunrise. In otherwords,
the herald signifies the defeat of K膩ma and others who are the source of evil acts on
account of their wicked nature. Just then, Viveka makes a reference to the lighting of
lamps for performing 膧rati in the evening (an auspicious function sponteneously)
Now relieved of the evil forces and feels pleasure in performing the evening lights
with pleasure. At this happy ending both retire from the stage. Thus ends the
third Act.
ACT IV
The fourth Act is entitled as
' or 'The break up of the military
array of K膩ma etc.' At the outset, K膩ma and Vasanta enter the stage. Here
Venka峁璦n膩tha vividly brings out the evil forces of K膩ma, Vasanta, Krodha and
others, and their logical results by which several ordinary persons succumb and get
defeated. His purpose in introducing these characters is evidently to strike a note of
caution in the mind of Puru峁 in his goal to attain Brahman.
In the beginning K膩ma proclaims before Vasanta expressing his prowess
with which, he could make an attempt to conquer 艢iva. A conversation between
K膩ma and Vasanta follows complimenting each other. It is explicit that when K膩ma
is provided with weapons and missiles and thus be assisted by Vasanta, the entire
world can be deluded. Vasanta replies that virtuous persons do certain acts
forbidden by K膩ma. After doing such acts, they throw the blame on K膩ma and
